SPORTING KC VISITS THE PHILADELPHIA UNION ON SATURDAY
Sporting Kansas City wraps up their regular season road slate when they face the Philadelphia Union Saturday at PPL Park. The 6 p.m. contest will be televised locally on KMCI 38 The Spot and across the Midwest on SKCTV with pre-game coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Sporting KC (14-11-7, 49 points) clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for a fourth straight campaign after beating the Chicago Fire 2-0 on Oct. 10. The team is currently tied with the New England Revolution for second place in the Eastern Conference, six points behind D.C. United, two ahead of fourth place New York and three ahead of fifth place Columbus. The top five teams in each conference will qualify for the postseason.
Peter Vermes’ men have tasted recent success at PPL Park, notching a pair of victories to bookend the 2013 regular season. No team boasts more road wins this year than Sporting KC’s eight (8-7-1 overall). Conversely, Philadelphia has struggled to obtain maximum points at home, winning five of 16 contests in Chester, Pennsylvania (5-3-8 overall). The home team is winless in the last five meetings between the clubs.
Philadelphia (9-11-12, 39 points) was eliminated from postseason contention last Saturday after suffering a 3-2 defeat to the Columbus Crew. However, the Union have earned two positive road results against the reigning MLS champions this year, winning 2-1 on May 14 and earning a 1-1 draw on Aug 1.
SPORTING KC TRIO START IN FRIENDLY MATCH BETWEEN U.S. AND HONDURAS
The United States and Honduras battled to a 1-1 stalemate in a friendly match that featured three Sporting KC players to start at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida on Tuesday. Defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi earned their 10th caps of 2014 -- and first since the 2014 FIFA World Cup -- for the U.S. Men's National Team, while midfielder Jorge Claros started his second match in a six-day span for Honduras.
Jozy Altidore opened the scoring after 10 minutes on an assist from Michael Bradley, but Maynor Figueroa headed in a free kick from Mario Martinez in the 86th minute to level the 22nd all-time meeting between the CONCACAF rivals. The U.S. is now 14-4-4 all-time against Honduras.
Besler (22 caps) and Zusi (28 caps) each played 64 minutes before exiting in the second half, while Claros was a halftime substitute after picking up a caution in the 16th minute. Claros started and played the full 90 minutes on Thursday in a 2-0 loss at Mexico.
USWNT KICKS OFF CONCACAF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP TONIGHT AT SPORTING PARK
The 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship begins tonight as the No. 1 ranked United States Women's National Team will face Trinidad and Tobago at Sporting Park (7:30 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2). The USWNT roster features Amy Rodriguez, Lauren Holiday and Becky Sauerbrunn of NWSL champions FC Kansas City as well as veterans Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo.
All eight nations participating in the tournament, including regional rival Mexico, will begin their World Cup qualifying campaigns at Sporting Park during doubleheaders today and tomorrow. Single-day tickets for each match-day doubleheader are on sale at ussoccer.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
From Kansas City, all eight teams will move to Bridgeview, Illinois, where Group A doubleheader matches will take place Oct. 17 and Group B matches Oct. 18. The teams will finish group stage action in Washington, D.C. with Group A games Oct. 20 and Group B games Oct. 21.
The top three teams from the tournament will directly qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada next summer, while the fourth place finisher will advance to a playoff.
2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship matches at Sporting Park:
• Game 1: Guatemala vs. Haiti – Tonight (5 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2)
• Game 2: USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago – Tonight (7:30 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2)
• Game 3: Jamaica vs. Martinique – Thursday (5 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2)
• Game 4: Costa Rica vs. Mexico – Thursday (7:30 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2)
SPORTING KC RECOGNIZES 2014 AWARD WINNERS
Sporting KC recognized the club’s annual award winners on Saturday at Sporting Park during Pitch Black, presented by Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City. Sporting KC players, coaches, media members and fans voted on the following awards:
- Most Valuable Player, pres. by Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City: Graham Zusi and Dom Dwyer
- Offensive Player of the Year, pres. by Ivy Funds: Dom Dwyer
- Defensive Player of the Year, pres. by Sabates Eye Centers: Seth Sinovic
- Goal of the Year, pres. by Power Partners: Benny Feilhaber (July 16)
- Newcomer of the Year, pres. by Marriott Kansas City Downtown: Antonio Dovale and Igor Juliao
Additionally, the club chose the following awards:
- Golden Boot, pres. by Henry Wurst Incorporated: Dom Dwyer
- Victory Project Humanitarian of the Year: Soony Saad
- Bob Gansler Award, pres. by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City: Nic Jaimes
- Sporting Club Network Club of the Year, pres. by Price Chopper: El Padrino
- Academy Affiliate Club of the Year, pres. by Providence Medical Center: Sporting St. Croix
Visit SportingKC.com for more information on the 2014 award winners.
SPORTING KC CLINCHES PLAYOFF SPOT AFTER 2-0 WIN OVER CHICAGO
Goals from Graham Zusi and Dom Dwyer and a six-save performance from Andy Gruenebaum powered Sporting KC to a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire last Friday at Sporting Park. The victory secured Peter Vermes' team a playoff berth for the fourth straight year.
The rivals remained deadlocked through the first 80 minutes, thanks in large part to a slew of impressive saves from Gruenebaum, who posted his third consecutive clean sheet in as many starts. Sporting KC was also thwarted, as Dom Dwyer missed his first penalty kick in eight attempts across all competitions and Benny Feilhaber's first half strike was palmed onto the post by Chicago keeper Sean Johnson.
However, winger Graham Zusi made the breakthrough with a superb left-footed strike from 25 yards out. The U.S. international collected a pass from Kevin Ellis on the right flank and drove into the middle before firing into the far left corner. Zusi then turned supplier in the 92nd minute. His cross near the right corner flag was headed home by Dom Dwyer, whose 21st MLS goal of the season extended his club record.
ZUSI'S STUNNING GAME-WINNER UP FOR MLS GOAL OF THE WEEK
Sporting Kansas City winger Graham Zusi's game-winning goal in last Friday's 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire has been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. Voting runs online at MLSsoccer.com until 1:59 a.m. CT Friday.
Zusi's left-footed effort ultimately won the match and sealed Sporting KC's spot in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. He followed up the 80th-minute goal with an inch-perfect cross to Dom Dwyer in the 92nd minute for his team-high eighth assist of the season.
Now tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with the New England Revolution, Sporting KC is 16-0-2 all-time when Zusi scores in an MLS match. The sixth year professional, who was named the club's 2014 Co-Most Valuable Player on Saturday, is the only MLS player to register at least five goals and at least seven assists in each of the last four seasons.
GRUENEBAUM AGAIN UP FOR MLS SAVE OF THE WEEK
For the second consecutive week and fourth time this season, Sporting KC goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum is nominated for MLS Save of the Week. The Overland Park, Kansas native is one of five finalists for his 21st-minute stop on Matt Watson. Voting runs online at MLSsoccer.com until 1:59 a.m. CT Friday.
The reaction save was his first of six saves in last Friday's 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire. The performance came on the heels of Gruenebaum's seven-save outing at D.C. United a week earlier. The nine-year veteran becomes the first Sporting KC goalkeeper to make at least six saves in two straight MLS contests since Kevin Hartman in June 2008.
Gruenebaum now has a 308-minute shutout streak dating back to Sept. 6, the longest active streak in MLS and just 44 minutes shy of the league's longest streak this season. His 75.6 save percentage in 2014 is also second best among MLS goalkeepers with a minimum of 30 saves.
FIVE SPORTING KC PLAYERS NAMED TO MLS TEAM OF THE WEEK SQUADS
Five Sporting KC players earned MLS Team of the Week honors from various publications after Peter Vermes’ side clinched a spot in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs.
- Goal.com’s Team of the Week featured goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum, winger Graham Zusi and defender Kevin Ellis, who replaced the injured Aurelien Collin at centerback. The 23-year-old homegrown product helped Sporting KC secure a second straight shutout and assisted Zusi’s game-winning goal.
- Bleacher Report gave nods to Gruenebaum, defender Matt Besler and midfielder Benny Feilhaber. Making his 149th regular season appearance, Besler racked up eight interceptions for the second straight match and added a game-high 10 clearances. Feilhaber contributed six interceptions, made a game-high four key passes and drew a 13th-minute penalty kick with a run inside the box.
- MLSsoccer.com’s best performers of Week 31 included Gruenebaum and Zusi, while Sports Illustrated’s Best XI featured Feilhaber and Zusi.
THREE-GAME PLAYOFF TICKET PACKAGE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SEASON TICKET MEMBERS
Sporting KC Season Ticket Members now have access to purchase a three-game playoff ticket package for their current seat location(s). This exclusive opportunity lasts until 10 a.m. CT on Monday, Oct. 20. The playoff invoice is located through the online Sporting KC Account Manager and more information is available online at SportingKC.com.
SPORTING KC ACADEMY MIDFIELDER SELECTED TO U.S. U-14 BOYS' NATIONAL TEAM
Sporting KC U14 Academy midfielder Cameron Duke has joined the United States Under-14 Boys' National Team for a training camp in Carson, California from Oct. 11-19.
An Olathe, Kansas native, Duke was a member of the Sporting Kansas City U14's that won Kansas State Cup and the United States Youth Soccer Regional II Tournament earlier this year. Duke is the younger brother of Sporting Kansas City midfielder Christian Duke, who is also a product of the Sporting KC Academy.
SPORTING CLUB AND WWI MUSEUM TO CO-HOST SECOND ANNUAL TRUCE TOURNAMENT
Sporting Club and the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial will host the second annual Truce Tournament on Dec. 26. The Kansas City soccer community is invited to participate in the 3v3 tournament that will be played on Liberty Hill and attend an English Premier League Watch Party inside the WWI Museum.
Following a tradition that began last year, the 2014 Truce Tournament comes on the 100th Anniversary of World War I and pays homage to the time-honored story of the Christmas Truce. According to legend, WWI battles temporarily ceased around Christmas 1914 as members of both warring armies ventured into No Man’s Land to exchange gifts, sing carols and play soccer.
Registration for the event is now open at www.TheTruceKC.com. Click here for more information on the Truce Tournament.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2014 BIG 12 SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Tickets for the 2014 Big 12 Soccer Championship are now available at Big12sports.com/buytickets or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL. The Championship will take place Nov. 5, 7 and 9 at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City. Day passes are on sale for $9 with three-day tournament passes available for $14. A 15-ticket group package is also available for $90.
Sporting Club and the University of Kansas will again co-host this year’s championship, which will feature the Big 12’s top eight teams competing for the Conference’s postseason title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.
SPORTING KC AND FRITO LAY TEAM UP FOR MONTH-LONG CONTEST
Sporting KC and Frito Lay have partnered for a month-long contest, giving supporters the opportunity to win an autographed soccer ball plus tickets to the team's regular season finale on Oct. 26. Fans can enter the contest by taking a photo with their favorite bag of Frito Lay chips while wearing Sporting KC apparel and sharing the photo to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #SKCFritoFan. The engagement will continue through Monday, Oct. 20, with four winners randomly selected at the end of each of week of the contest.
SPORTING KC AND THE VICTORY PROJECT CONTINUE 'RECYCLE YOUR GAME' CAMPAIGN
Sporting KC, The Victory Project and the Sporting Club Network have kicked off the Fall 2014 campaign for Recycle Your Game. Throughout the month of October, fans will have the opportunity to donate new or gently-used soccer equipment in an effort to provide youth in under-served communities the chance to play the game.
Fans will have numerous opportunities at various locations to donate their gear throughout the month of October and, in exchange, will be rewarded with a coupon for 10 percent off of merchandise at any Sporting Style location at Sporting Park. Fans are encouraged to donate at the following events/locations:
- Sunday, Oct. 26 at Sporting Park: collection points outside the Boulevard Members Club and on the Sprint Plaza
- Sporting Kansas City’s downtown offices: 1511 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108
- KCP&L’s downtown offices: 1200 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64105
- Sporting Blue Valley office at the Overland Park Soccer Complex: 13700 Switzer Road, Overland Park, KS 66221
SPORTING CLUB RELEASES NEW CLOTHING LINE
Sporting Club has released its new fashion line for the defending MLS champions, offering fans an extensive selection of new clothing and merchandise. The Sporting Club brand -- featuring recently released men's and women's items -- is available for purchase on Sporting Style’s website and at Sporting KC’s remaining home games while supplies last.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR NCAA D-II FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT SPORTING PARK
Tickets are on sale to the general public for the NCAA Division II Football Championship to be played at Sporting Park on Dec. 20. Hosted by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Associations and the Kansas City Sports Commission, the championship game will be held inside the state-of-the-art stadium for the next four years. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com while supplies last.
FOLLOW SPORTING KC ONLINE
Sporting KC fans looking to keep up with the club online now have a place to go. The Social Media page on SportingKC.com features Twitter account information for the club, its players and several staff members. Fans may also take advantage of the Media Recap page for all the latest independent news coverage.
